Ryder, Southee back to face Australia

New Zealand have recalled the batsman Jesse Ryder and the swing bowler Tim Southee from injuries in the 13-man squad to tour Australia for two Tests in December.

The team features 10 of the players who took part in the Test match against Zimbabwe earlier this month, with the young paceman Trent Boult in the squad after recovering from a stress fracture of the back.

Ryder and Southee missed the Zimbabwe Test, but are on course to be fit in time for the first match of the visit to Australia, a four-day match against Australia A in Brisbane from November 24.

Southee was out of action due to a knee cartilage problem, and the national selection manager Kim Littlejohn had said that his recovery would be carefully managed to ensure he was fit for the matches against Australia.

A calf strain caused Ryder to miss Zimbabwe, prompting the captain Ross Taylor to suggest the left-hander might give up his part-time bowling.

Littlejohn said the squad may yet be bolstered with another seamer, pending domestic performances. The batsman BJ Watling will join the tour later than the rest in order to play another match for the Northern Knights against the Otago Volts.

"In choosing our squad we decided to go with 13 players and will consider adding another seamer before the first Test," Littlejohn said. "That will largely depend on how the players pull up after the warm-up match.

"It is pleasing to provide Trent with an opportunity. He is a promising young bowler and deserves his place in the squad after impressing at the NZC Fast Bowling Camp during the winter and making a strong start to the Plunket Shield.

"We have decided to allow BJ Watling to play in the third round of Plunket Shield to give him maximum game time. We did not plan on selecting him for the warm-up match against Australia A and feel it is more beneficial to keep him playing cricket.

"The side for the First-Class warm-up fixture against Australia A will be chosen from the remaining 12 players."

Jeetan Patel, the offspinner, was the major omission from the squad, the selectors preferring to name an extra pace bowler for the early season series.

Age is just a number if he,s (Milne) good enough he should pick , he,s obviosly quick enough 150+ ,Aussie has just picked Cummins an 18 year old with no experience . play him i say

Kiranraj007
on November 18, 2011, 8:33 GMT

BJ Watling.. not sure why he is selected.. I think Jamie How and Daniel Flynn are far more competent players. Also i fail to understand why James Franklin cannot make it to this new zealand team. Ideally i would also have McCullum keeping..my team would be Guptill, How, Williamson, Taylor, Ryder, franklin, Mccullum, Vettori, Southee, Martin, Boulte/Bracewell...

dummy4fb
on November 18, 2011, 6:28 GMT

Milne has played a grand total of 5 First Class matches and you think he is ready for Australia? Much like Boult, it's going to be at least a year or two until he's ready. Throwing him in just because he can bowl 145-150kmph is pointless. Australians are not strangers to pace bowling. We need to wait until Milne is a genuine and proven wicket taker.

stickywicketnick
on November 17, 2011, 9:35 GMT

Great another 2 test series in Australia where we get to watch Martin get no swing and hardly break the 130k mark.

If Mckay didn't get picked because of his Wellington figures why did Martin get selected? If he can't even take the wickets of Canterbury batsmen how is he going to get Australian wickets on an even flatter pitch?

I am beginning to think BJ Watling has been giving what his name suggests to get selected, because a average of just over 33 surely can't warrant test selection.

Would be nice to see the selectors take a punt on Milne, just so NZ audiences can watch pace bowling and not have to fear for out own batsmen for once.

choppa13
on November 17, 2011, 6:44 GMT

Martins time is surely up if he dosnt do something spectacular this tour with the up and comming youngsters(145 km/h) on the rise martin,mills,tuffey and co(who struggle to bowl 130 km) are out its in with the new and out with the old. just like the batting all young and are showing great promise especially kane.

Sulli001
on November 17, 2011, 3:37 GMT

Frankly, unless NZ can score +500 an innings they have no chance, simply because the bowling attack is limited in Aust conditions. Martin has a shocking record against Aust. I predict Aust will bat themselves into form, and NZ will struggle to post scores in excess of 300.

gothetaniwha
on November 17, 2011, 3:32 GMT

Can,t wait to hear bill and richie say about young Williamson 284 no yesterday ,the batting looks good for the future young have no fear ,heres hoping Wright picks young Milne as the other quick bowler (still one to be added) and unleashes him at the Gabba sight unseen to the Aussies , time to pension off Mills ,Martin and co and pick the youngsters ,nothing to lose .

Kiwi-Jake
on November 17, 2011, 0:54 GMT

@spence1324 oh didn't know that, I just assumed. If that's the case then it's bizarre that we have players and coaches complaining about the lack of tests when it's our own board that decides them.

Rar0
on November 16, 2011, 23:23 GMT

To be honest. I think this is one of the best test squads NZ has selected in a long time. A good mixture of experience and youth. Williamson is the future of NZ batting and Southee, Bracewell and Boult the bowling. Brownlie and Guptil are in great form in the plunket shield (both scoring big hundreds). My ideal team would be:
McCullum, Guptil, Williamson, Taylor, Ryder, Brownlie, Vettori, Young, Bracewell, Southee, Boult... But I believe martin will get that final spot due to his experience

spence1324
on November 16, 2011, 19:00 GMT

@Kiwi-jake no bilateral test series are agreed between respective boards,who agree on number of matches to be played, and when thay take place etc,look at the back to back ashes series in 2013 between england and Australia agreed through both boards not ICC or BCCI.

gothetaniwha
on November 19, 2011, 19:08 GMT

Age is just a number if he,s (Milne) good enough he should pick , he,s obviosly quick enough 150+ ,Aussie has just picked Cummins an 18 year old with no experience . play him i say

Kiranraj007
on November 18, 2011, 8:33 GMT

BJ Watling.. not sure why he is selected.. I think Jamie How and Daniel Flynn are far more competent players. Also i fail to understand why James Franklin cannot make it to this new zealand team. Ideally i would also have McCullum keeping..my team would be Guptill, How, Williamson, Taylor, Ryder, franklin, Mccullum, Vettori, Southee, Martin, Boulte/Bracewell...

dummy4fb
on November 18, 2011, 6:28 GMT

Milne has played a grand total of 5 First Class matches and you think he is ready for Australia? Much like Boult, it's going to be at least a year or two until he's ready. Throwing him in just because he can bowl 145-150kmph is pointless. Australians are not strangers to pace bowling. We need to wait until Milne is a genuine and proven wicket taker.

stickywicketnick
on November 17, 2011, 9:35 GMT

Great another 2 test series in Australia where we get to watch Martin get no swing and hardly break the 130k mark.

If Mckay didn't get picked because of his Wellington figures why did Martin get selected? If he can't even take the wickets of Canterbury batsmen how is he going to get Australian wickets on an even flatter pitch?

I am beginning to think BJ Watling has been giving what his name suggests to get selected, because a average of just over 33 surely can't warrant test selection.

Would be nice to see the selectors take a punt on Milne, just so NZ audiences can watch pace bowling and not have to fear for out own batsmen for once.

choppa13
on November 17, 2011, 6:44 GMT

Martins time is surely up if he dosnt do something spectacular this tour with the up and comming youngsters(145 km/h) on the rise martin,mills,tuffey and co(who struggle to bowl 130 km) are out its in with the new and out with the old. just like the batting all young and are showing great promise especially kane.

Sulli001
on November 17, 2011, 3:37 GMT

Frankly, unless NZ can score +500 an innings they have no chance, simply because the bowling attack is limited in Aust conditions. Martin has a shocking record against Aust. I predict Aust will bat themselves into form, and NZ will struggle to post scores in excess of 300.

gothetaniwha
on November 17, 2011, 3:32 GMT

Can,t wait to hear bill and richie say about young Williamson 284 no yesterday ,the batting looks good for the future young have no fear ,heres hoping Wright picks young Milne as the other quick bowler (still one to be added) and unleashes him at the Gabba sight unseen to the Aussies , time to pension off Mills ,Martin and co and pick the youngsters ,nothing to lose .

Kiwi-Jake
on November 17, 2011, 0:54 GMT

@spence1324 oh didn't know that, I just assumed. If that's the case then it's bizarre that we have players and coaches complaining about the lack of tests when it's our own board that decides them.

Rar0
on November 16, 2011, 23:23 GMT

To be honest. I think this is one of the best test squads NZ has selected in a long time. A good mixture of experience and youth. Williamson is the future of NZ batting and Southee, Bracewell and Boult the bowling. Brownlie and Guptil are in great form in the plunket shield (both scoring big hundreds). My ideal team would be:
McCullum, Guptil, Williamson, Taylor, Ryder, Brownlie, Vettori, Young, Bracewell, Southee, Boult... But I believe martin will get that final spot due to his experience

spence1324
on November 16, 2011, 19:00 GMT

@Kiwi-jake no bilateral test series are agreed between respective boards,who agree on number of matches to be played, and when thay take place etc,look at the back to back ashes series in 2013 between england and Australia agreed through both boards not ICC or BCCI.

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 12:08 GMT

To the comments:

* Please don't mutter the words 'Andy McKay' and 'Jeetan Patel' ever again.
* Although Nathan McCullum does very well in T20 and ODIs, his first class record is nothing to be impressed about at all with the ball
* Watling is a safe option and a 'utility' player of sorts, as he can keep, very good in the outfield and can open the batting or slot in in the middle order and that's why he is in the side.
* No point picking another spinner in Aussie conditions + the fact that Dan can handle long spells and can be supported by part-time spin options in Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill, who has proven he can turn the ball. Guptill's bowling is heavily underrated and to be honest, should be used like Dilshan or Hafeez but isn't at the moment. Both Williamson and Guptill are underutilised bowling wise for what they offer.
Boult is a player quite like Southee in that he can swing the ball and is the right selection. Mills has been given plently of chances in tests and failed

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 11:59 GMT

@satish619chander.....i agree...it gives a better balance to the team when mccullum keeps......according to you mills and martin both should play.....i think bracewell or boult should complete the bowling line up with southee and one of millls and martin.....if they want experience why not o'brien(for rest of the season as he is not fit now).....hamish bennett is also there after this series so as daryl tuffey......

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 11:21 GMT

Ben Iker Muniain Stoyanoff your team is spot on!! NZC please get rid of Chris Martin - he is no threat to international batsmen. Lets try these young guys that everyone has been talking about. Get Milne in the squad, and dont be afraid to play him.

satish619chandar
on November 16, 2011, 10:38 GMT

NZ has some positive signs to face Aussies.. They do need to take some extra steps.. Better pick Nathan Mc in place of Jeets.. He is a better spinner and better batsman by miles.. Brendon should keep wickets atleast for this one tour.. It is tough to keep wicket and open bat but it is a risk worth taking for this series.. My 11 would be, Guptill, Brendon(WK), Kane Will, Ross T, Ryder, Brownlie, Dan, Nathan Mc, MIlls, Southee, Martin.. They would have more depth in batting as well, have extra bowler..

StevieS
on November 16, 2011, 10:37 GMT

SixFourOut because Young is a better keeeper, its OK in limited overs to pick a better batsman over a better keeper but in test matches you need the best keeper.

lesshero
on November 16, 2011, 10:15 GMT

should of picked another spinner like tarun nethula or todd astle, also there is no pace so milne was worth a shot. BJ watlting does not deserve a spot if he does not keep and neil broom deserves a chance at the test level over him. glad they picked boult over mckay or mills as we need youthful bowlers

Kiwi-Jake
on November 16, 2011, 8:53 GMT

@gupta.ankur The scheduling is not due to NZ's 'reluctance', it's the ICC that create the schedule and they've been really tough on NZ, amongst a few others, with a sheer lack of tests home and away.

Gupta.Ankur
on November 16, 2011, 7:21 GMT

Haha........Ryder is fit again? It completely baffles me how come ryder gets injured every time he plays.........even though nz don't play anything for most of the year.....

NZ will never be a better side by being so reluctant to play regularly outside NZ and Aus.....

jonesy2
on November 16, 2011, 6:32 GMT

nz should be playing as many promising youngsters as possible, especially against australia where they have nothing to lose and australia everything to lose. why isnt milne playing?

youfoundme
on November 16, 2011, 6:31 GMT

I'm going to go with a different view, and say that Watling should keep wickets. He's young, he's done it before and I think that they can make a better batsmen out of him yet. His technique isn't all there, but with some proper cricket under his belt and some good coaching, he'll come along way. As for Martin, he's grown on me over the past year or so but his time is undoubtedly coming to an end. I think once Wagner comes into the picture, Martin will have to retire and make way for all this young talent we'll have available. I'd prefer to see him do the honours rather than the selectors... The starting XI is a safe bet (unless they go for 4 seamers, I can't see them going for 2 spinners in Australia). Boult will sit out unless someone gains an injury, same goes for Watling. I have no clue who the 13th person will be, here's hoping for Milne, De Boorder or maybe a young spin bowler.

BJ Watling is probably being persisted with, because NZC are following England's example of importing players.

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 5:06 GMT

I just hope Southee can keep his pace up and still swing the ball. If he can bowl the way he did in the CWC, where he bowled 140-145km/h and get some swing, he'll take wickets. I haven't heard much about Boult, is he actually quick or is he another 130-135km/h trundler like Martin, Butler and Tuffey? I'd say if they were going to grab one more pacer, make it O'Brien, as he was pretty quick when he played against Pakistan (I remember seeing a few balls were coming through at 147km/h which was very surprising) and doesn't mind bowling into the wind.

anver777
on November 16, 2011, 4:55 GMT

Its a superb news for NZ cricket.......but as neutral fan i like to see full fit Ryder & Southee playing full time for NZ.

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 4:29 GMT

Nice mix of youth and experience with many of the side coming off the back of strong domestic performances, although a test series against Australia is a different proposition.

Batting: Solid lineup batting a long way down, only ? for me is Watling. If he plays will need to show his ability otherwise think its time to look to the next in line. Although am not entirely sure who that is?

Keeper: Young had a good tour of Zim with both the bat & gloves and deserves to be there. De Boorder is pushing him which is great for NZ cricket.

Bowling: The experience of Martin & Southee will be crucial alongside Bracewell (I assume) although Boult could get a crack if we go with 4 seamers.

Going to be an interesting series against Big Brother!

FatBoysCanBat
on November 16, 2011, 4:18 GMT

@Redneck: Spot on...Patel is a passenger, Nathan McCullum should get a run next time we play two spinners. @SixFourOut: Derek de Boorder is a far better batsmen than Reece Young, but Young is easily the best glove man we have outside of Kruger van Wyk - who is not eligible until next year (like Wagner who will slot straight in to the test team next March). And Martin still has a little bit left in him and deserves one last go at the old enemy.

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 4:14 GMT

I only hope they give boult game time. He is the future, martin is the past.

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 4:07 GMT

good to see nzc selectors looking for future.........they could have easily gone for mills, mckay,arnel,butler but they have gone for boult and bracewell.......and the duo has deserved their chance too.....after a long time black caps seems to have a good bowling back up.......even though Bennett,Tuffey is injured and O'brien still recovering and making a come back they have a good bowling line up...
selectors have hinted for anther seamer before the gabba test.....wonder who it is they may be looking for hamish bennett ???? i still think watling is a passenger they should have gone for all round abilities of franklin....or broom........
still gonna be a good series...i m sure kiwis gonna do well in australia......
don't write them of!!!!!!!

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 4:05 GMT

bj watling? why do they persist with him when he has does nothing to warrant selection. about time they gave flynn another go, or what about rob nicol? I still think franklin is the most hard done by player in nz cricket. i hope they do well, but that is extreme wishful thinking.

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 3:56 GMT

agree with Redneck. Every time i see cricinfo putting the (wk) next to brendon's name i think maybe he has seen some common sense and is taking the gloves back. it provides so much better balance to the side when brendon is keeping. but no, this is probably a rushed article and wrong.

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 3:51 GMT

@SixFourOut - Bang on man. Need to get rid of Martin. Hopefully they dont replace him with Mills or Oram....oh thank god they have both retired phew.

Anil_Koshy
on November 16, 2011, 3:39 GMT

Can't understand why Lou Vincent is not in the side.

Kiwi-Jake
on November 16, 2011, 3:29 GMT

It's good to see that our best side is fully fit, Boult is certainly one of the best and fastest seamers going around New Zealand, it confused me as to why selectors were gunning for McKay over Boult in the first place. Only disappointment is with Watling's selection, unless they are planning on using him as a specialist reserve fielder. I do agree with SixFourOut that De Boorder needs to be given a shot before he gets too old, however Young has been doing well so far and has proven to be a fantastic keeper if not a keeper/batsman, I'd rather a keeper who can take his catches than get 10 or so more runs on average, especially if they are batting at 8, there's more to selections than just batting averages.

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 3:17 GMT

@sixfourout Totally agree about chris martin, averages about 45 with the ball in his last 10 test matches. I think southee has developed enough to lead and attack with doug bracewell and trent boult/andy mckay

I believe the selecters have gone for wicketkeeping merit over batting with reece youung's selection. Batting, after all, isn't the black cap's main concern with the likes of guptil, mccullum, taylor, ryder and vettori.

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 3:07 GMT

@cricinfo Please, Mccullum isn't the test wicket keeper anymore. Why doesn't reece young have a wk next to his name?

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 3:06 GMT

yes about time trent boult gets a look in bout time i would seriously pick him ahead of martin,good team selected i think they have a huge chance go black caps

SixFourOut
on November 16, 2011, 2:55 GMT

Can't wait to see Martin waste the new ball. My prediction is Martin to take 1/142 for the match and still get picked for the second match where he'll do much better with 3/209, watch out for him to make 0, 1*, 0 & 2 with the bat.

Get you money on early kids. Can someone tell me why Reece young is the wicket keeper above Derek De Boorder who averages 43.19 in domestic cricket vs Young's 31.36? Not enough selector man love? How about Kruger Van Wyk 36.95 or is he not eligible?

Dr_Van_Nostrand
on November 16, 2011, 2:48 GMT

Excellent news. NZ will give the Aussies a very close contest in this series.

redneck
on November 16, 2011, 2:30 GMT

@cricinfo i have lost count of how many articles you put (wk) next to mcculum for a test match. he doesnt keep wicket in tests, i know this and im just an irrelivent blow fly. you guys are a cricket news website! lift your game!!! on the new zealand selection good to see patel dropped, he was a passenger. more than anyother team this new zealand outfit only does well when all 11 are making contributions. cant afford passengers! looking forward to seeing southees improvement since his last tour here.

No featured comments at the moment.

redneck
on November 16, 2011, 2:30 GMT

@cricinfo i have lost count of how many articles you put (wk) next to mcculum for a test match. he doesnt keep wicket in tests, i know this and im just an irrelivent blow fly. you guys are a cricket news website! lift your game!!! on the new zealand selection good to see patel dropped, he was a passenger. more than anyother team this new zealand outfit only does well when all 11 are making contributions. cant afford passengers! looking forward to seeing southees improvement since his last tour here.

Dr_Van_Nostrand
on November 16, 2011, 2:48 GMT

Excellent news. NZ will give the Aussies a very close contest in this series.

SixFourOut
on November 16, 2011, 2:55 GMT

Can't wait to see Martin waste the new ball. My prediction is Martin to take 1/142 for the match and still get picked for the second match where he'll do much better with 3/209, watch out for him to make 0, 1*, 0 & 2 with the bat.

Get you money on early kids. Can someone tell me why Reece young is the wicket keeper above Derek De Boorder who averages 43.19 in domestic cricket vs Young's 31.36? Not enough selector man love? How about Kruger Van Wyk 36.95 or is he not eligible?

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 3:06 GMT

yes about time trent boult gets a look in bout time i would seriously pick him ahead of martin,good team selected i think they have a huge chance go black caps

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 3:07 GMT

@cricinfo Please, Mccullum isn't the test wicket keeper anymore. Why doesn't reece young have a wk next to his name?

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 3:17 GMT

@sixfourout Totally agree about chris martin, averages about 45 with the ball in his last 10 test matches. I think southee has developed enough to lead and attack with doug bracewell and trent boult/andy mckay

I believe the selecters have gone for wicketkeeping merit over batting with reece youung's selection. Batting, after all, isn't the black cap's main concern with the likes of guptil, mccullum, taylor, ryder and vettori.

Kiwi-Jake
on November 16, 2011, 3:29 GMT

It's good to see that our best side is fully fit, Boult is certainly one of the best and fastest seamers going around New Zealand, it confused me as to why selectors were gunning for McKay over Boult in the first place. Only disappointment is with Watling's selection, unless they are planning on using him as a specialist reserve fielder. I do agree with SixFourOut that De Boorder needs to be given a shot before he gets too old, however Young has been doing well so far and has proven to be a fantastic keeper if not a keeper/batsman, I'd rather a keeper who can take his catches than get 10 or so more runs on average, especially if they are batting at 8, there's more to selections than just batting averages.

Anil_Koshy
on November 16, 2011, 3:39 GMT

Can't understand why Lou Vincent is not in the side.

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 3:51 GMT

@SixFourOut - Bang on man. Need to get rid of Martin. Hopefully they dont replace him with Mills or Oram....oh thank god they have both retired phew.

dummy4fb
on November 16, 2011, 3:56 GMT

agree with Redneck. Every time i see cricinfo putting the (wk) next to brendon's name i think maybe he has seen some common sense and is taking the gloves back. it provides so much better balance to the side when brendon is keeping. but no, this is probably a rushed article and wrong.